Decor Spotlight: Low Maintenance Houseplants

Often times designers and real estate agents place a vase full of flowers or a plant in a space before photographing it.  This is a great way to bring life to a room or patio.  Not only are plants a great visual accessory, but when placed throughout your home, they have health benefits... bonus!
Studies show using plants in interior spaces:

• Decrease the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs
• Help to increase oxygen levels
• Remove indoor pollutants
  

If you don't have a green thumb, no problem.  There are many great low maintenance varieties. These are the indoor plants that we have throughout our home and patio.  They have survived years with only weekly watering and quarterly fertilization.

1.  Mother in Law's Tongue (aka Snake Plant)

This plant enjoys container living.  It is incredibly tough and can survive neglect, infrequent watering, and low light conditions.  If you travel frequently or just want to try your hand at caring for your first indoor plant, the snake plant is for you.

2.  Jade

The jade plant requires more sun, so they're great on a window sill or on the patio where the sunlight hits directly.  They only require watering when the top layer of soil is dry.  In fact, too much water can actually be a detriment for this plant.  As for fertilizer, twice per year is all it needs.

3.  Pothos

This fast growing plant is incredibly versatile and is another great choice for beginners.  It thrives in low light as well as bright indirect light.  It can be grown in dry soil or in a vase of water.  They thrive even with infrequent fertilization.  

One thing to note, pothos is considered toxic to children, cats, and dogs.  The plant can cause irritation and vomiting if ingested because it contains calcium oxalates.  For this reason, we keep ours out of reach.

4.  Peace Lily

Another great option for an indoor plant is the peace lily.  They enjoy low light temperature regulated spaces (65-80 F).  This is another plant that only requires fertilizer twice per year.  However, stick to organic varieties, as this plant is sensitive to chemicals.  A wonderful quality of this plant is it tells you when it's thirsty.  The leaves will start to droop.  It can take a lot of water at once, then likes to dry out.  

5.  Ferns

Ferns love humidity, so this is a great patio plant for us here in Florida.  Place this plant in a shady space where it will get morning or late afternoon light.  Ferns prefer liquid fertilizer, but only in the summertime, every few weeks.  No need to fertilize during the wintertime.